FCCPC warns farmers, food vendors against adulterated, contaminated food

BY TEMITOPE ADEBAYO

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) has warned against the increasing sales of contaminated and adulterated food in the market.

The commission also urged farmers to seek expert guidance in the application of pesticides to crops to avoid poisoning.

The Acting executive vice chairman of the commission, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi said that some traders and farmers were engaging in various forms of adulterations without minding the health outcomes and implications on consumers.

Abdullahi disclosed a one-day sensitization for traders, farmers, Civil Society Organizations (CSO), and the public on the forced ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil and contaminated meat and grains.

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Abdullahi said the move was to ensure a healthier society in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

He said the Act that established the commission gave them powers to evacuate fake and adulterated products from the markets to avoid purchases from consumers.

According to him, we have to renew the hope of our people to be alive and healthy.

“We will go to the markets to sensitize the traders, educate the public and sellers, that adulterated and contaminated products are not allowed in the market and if they see any, they have somewhere to report them. He said”.

We are going to the markets in the states, at the grassroots to find out sharp practices going on and to ensure we get a healthier society and we have to ensure that the goods in the market are fully in line with standard specifications.

Also speaking, the vice president, of the North Central National Association of Nigeria Traders, (NANTS) Dr Edozie Ugwu commended the FCCPC for the sensitization efforts.

Dr. Ugwu said Nigerians had lost their vital organs to the adulterations of food adding that the market association would collaborate with the commission and other government agencies to ensure that the law penalises any trader indulging in the practice.

“What we intend to do is to take this back to sensitize our traders on the importance of avoiding these adulterated foods while pleading that this would extend to other key markets.

Another fellow from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Femi Stephen noted that adulteration had been linked to many health challenges such as abdominal pains, nausea, brain damage, stomach disorder, liver disease and breathing difficulty.